TURA, November 12: Meghalaya Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma today inaugurated the Capacity Building Workshop under Integrated Basin Development and Livelihood Programme (IBDLP) for Nokmas of Garo Hills organised by West Garo Hills Basin Development Unit at the Social Mobilization, Experimentation and Learning Center (SMELC) at Dakopgre. Later Dr Sangma also launched the Mobile Multi Facility Center, the first of its kind, as part of the programme.
The workshop was held to apprise the Nokmas on the various aspects of the IBDLP and to work out strategies on a sustainable basis with their cooperation.
Lamenting the fact that time tested traditional systems are disappearing Dr Sangma said that through the involvement of the traditional institutions the system will be revived and restored. He stated that the Garo traditional system or Nokmaship is the best system of governance as it is democratic and transparent.
Once the Nokmas are involved ideas will emanate from the grass root level once the stakeholders know about their role in it, stated Dr Sangma and stressed on natural resource management. Cautioning the Nokmas that a day may come when people in Garo Hills may become landless he said that management with responsibility needs to be cultivated.
Dr Sangma informed the gathering that a self sustaining one of a kind in the country scheme that would provide drinking water harnessed from the wind will be launched soon.. This scheme will be launched in areas where water is scarce and will also generate electricity. Indigenous Knowledge and Cultural Center will come up in Tura soon, Dr Sangma added. He later released IBDLP resource Booklet for Nokmas, the Garo edition of IBDLP Pamphlets and launched the Mobile Multi Facility Center.
West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner Pravin Bakshi addressing the gathering said the IBDLP is offering a hand of partnership to the Nokmas and not treating them as beneficiaries. He said that IBDLP is about making an empowered choice and added that it provided three livelihood opportunities to each family.SP News)
